Although nuts and seeds make up the common diet of birds and small animals, they can also work wonders for your own health.
There’s nothing worse than not having enough time for a snack, but nuts and seeds are the perfect grab-and-go snack for those busy days. Whether you’re fond of nuts and seeds or you have yet to try them, you should know the benefits of including nuts and seeds in your diet.
They contain high antioxidant levels
Nuts and seeds contain high antioxidant levels, which can help combat free radicals within your body that may cause oxidative stress. Although many people think fish is the only food with significant antioxidative properties, walnuts may have greater success fighting free radicals. If you add nuts into your daily diet, you may see improvements in several different health markers.
They may aid in weight loss
Although nuts and seeds are relatively high in calories and fat, they may aid your weight loss journey. Of course, they might not greatly impact your weight if it’s the only change you make, but they’re an excellent addition to your overall lifestyle. Interestingly, your body doesn’t absorb all of the fat and calories from nuts; in fact, you may eat 160 calories worth of nuts, but your body only absorbs about 130 of those calories.
They reduce inflammation
Unfortunately, inflammation is common with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, and others, but eating nuts and seeds on a regular basis may help reduce certain symptoms by decreasing the overall inflammation in the body. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and pistachios are some of the best options for those who suffer from kidney disease and diabetes.
They’re high in fiber
Although your body cannot digest fiber, the bacteria in your gut and colon can; in fact, eating plenty of fiber boosts your healthy gut bacteria, which improves your digestion and overall gut health. Fortunately, nuts and seeds are high in fiber, and consuming them daily helps keep you full longer without increasing calorie absorption.
These benefits of including nuts and seeds in your diet are the perfect way to convince you to grow nuts like pecans and walnuts in your yard. Believe it or not, pecans are one of the healthiest and most versatile nuts you can eat. With that in mind, knowing the signs your pecan tree is in good health will be beneficial if you plan to plant a few trees.